BUOYANCY IN TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18381, 20 October 1921, Page 7

BUOYANCY IN TRADE

HOPEFUL PROSPECTS. FARMERS AND GRIEVANCES. (Fbom Ocb Own Correspondent.)' AUCKLAND, October. 19. Business .in general merchandise 'in Aucku land is declared by an, undeniable authority ■ to be buoyant, and there is a much better demand than existed last earing. The reasons given are the encouraging prospects in the country districts and the soundness of the country notwithstanding the prevalent wave of pessimism. When surprise .was ■evinced at this information the authority smiled, and remarked: “In reality the selling side of business was never very bad. Wo always have more pessimists than op* thrusts. Some are pessimists because -it pays them to bo so. They want, to, Jtpaho , capital out of it. They are npt. chqqrful people.” On reference being made to .th? general attitude of the farmers, the,speaker said that the farmer, like the.' proverbial Irishman, was never satisfied unless ho had ■ a -.grievance. If ho lost it he would Huqt for another. His opinion was that; the farmer did not have the philosophy bf'thp' city business man. _ When a slump came - the merchant cut his losses with as good'ia heart as possible, and os far as possible'Jfor-;, got about them. This the farmer did'hdti seem to be able to do, but was inclined 1 fa weep over spilled' milk. This business inalx said he spoke with an intimate 1 knowledge of the drapery, grocery, and ifonmofigevy trades, and with a general knowledge-' of commerce. A revival in trade had l .followed the difficult period of about nine- months, during which values of merchants’,'*took» had deprec'-ted. There had been a drop of about 16 per cent, on groceries, of 23 per cent, on ironmongery, and 35 pet cent, on drapery. This had brought about.short buying, and it_ was probable there .would: be a shortage in many lines of Christmas goods in consequence of this and ihe .fact that a demand was setting in so • strongly. “There is evidence of renewed confidencei,’’ i he, said. “Everyone seems inclined, . : loosen up,’ and spend a bit ahead.” Thit-: buoyancy of trade was reflected •; to /iha town dweller in shape of employment, : That very morning a warehouse .hdvpbqjA; name had increased its staff by seven,men. The buoyancy of trade and bright prospect*, made their services necessary. .